NEWS ARCHIVE

Relatives: California man killed in Barcelona attack

A California man was killed in Thursday’s terror attack in Barcelona, relatives said.

Jared Tucker, 42, was vacationing in the city with his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, for their one-year wedding anniversary when the van-ramming terrorist attack happened in the Las Ramblas shopping district. Nunes-Tucker identified her husband’s body Friday.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that one American was killed in the attack and another injured.

"My mother is boarding a flight tonight to be with (Tucker’s) wife tomorrow,” Tucker’s nephew, Paul Luke, said in a Reddit thread that was created Thursday to help find Tucker. “... Jared's burial wishes were to be cremated, but that cannot be done until the investigations have finished. My mother and his wife will be in Barcelona for an undetermined amount of time until final arrangements can be made.”

Nunes-Tucker was buying souvenirs from a kiosk while Tucker headed to the restroom just before the terrorist attack, their family told news outlets. Seconds after he left, the van plowed into a crowd of people, and Nunes-Tucker was pushed over the kiosk. More than 100 people were injured and 14 were killed in the attack, which the Islamic State quickly took responsibility for.

Luke posted photos on Reddit from the plaza after the attack showing a man wearing a blue shirt and khaki shorts, lying on the ground with blood on his head. Another photo posted by Luke showed Tucker wearing the same outfit before the attack. His arm is wrapped around Nunes-Tucker, and they’re both smiling.

In the aftermath, a family member said Nunez had visited area hospitals and the Red Cross in the search for her husband.

Tucker’s family, who were gathered at his home in Lafayette Friday morning, declined to comment.

“To everyone who helped call, translate, find phone numbers, and physically visit hospitals I am grateful” Luke wrote on the Reddit thread. “Amidst terrible sadness, the people of Barcelona came out in droves to help us.

A California man was killed in Thursday’s terror attack in Barcelona, relatives said.

Jared Tucker, 42, was vacationing in the city with his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, for their one-year wedding anniversary when the van-ramming terrorist attack happened in the Las Ramblas shopping district. Nunes-Tucker identified her husband’s body Friday.